The Men’s Table is a monthly program held in pubs and clubs around the country. The initiative focuses on bringing men together, providing support against suicide and mental health challenges, building community and creating safe places for men to talk.
The first Men’s Table was hosted by co-founder Ben Hughes in 2011 at The Shakespeare Hotel in Surry Hills.
After Hughes addressed a networking meeting with the idea for discussion between men, a small group decided to have dinner with the intention of creating a place to connect and talk.
The conversation spanned everything from loneliness, the challenges of running a business, relationship breakdowns, parenting and more, and became a regular occurrence.
Eight years later, David Pointon, a regular attendee in the group began discussing with Hughes how they could share the benefits of their group with other men.
Since 2019, The Men’s Table has grown from one group to over 300 ‘tables’ meeting monthly across the country.
Now the CEO of The Men’s Table, Pointon explained that groups meeting regularly in local venues, places important conversations at the heart of the community.
“These are places where men already gather, making the concept of a ‘Table’ feel more approachable and less clinical,” he said.
He is proud of how venues have embraced The Men’s Table’s mission, naturally extending their role as community hubs.
“By hosting regular gatherings, venues become more than just places to eat or meet, they become trusted spaces where men build friendships, strengthen wellbeing, and create lasting community ties.
“Tables meet monthly in the same venue, typically early in the week on quieter nights, bringing consistent patronage while establishing the venue as a place where people belong, not just visit. Men at tables tell us that being there benefits their relationships outwards to their families, workplaces, sporting clubs, and the wider community which is a fantastic ripple effect,” said Pointon.
Creating space for conversation
Since 2025 ALH Hotels has also embraced the initiative with five Victorian venues in Melbourne and surrounds.
One of the venues, The Gateway Hotel Corio provides vital support to a regional centre where support is typically less accessible.
“[We] support The Men’s Table by offering free venue space in regions where they have identified community demand. Our focus is providing The Men’s Table with the private space they need to deliver their programs. We’re proud of the fact that it continues to grow in our venues,” said function sales executive Victoria Crawford.
From an operational perspective, Pointon says working with venues that offer quiet, private spaces has been one of the keys to The Men’s Tables success to date.
“A private [room] ensures the men have a quiet space free from typical background noise, or potential public criticism that might prevent them from sharing openly, while also providing access to a simple meal and a drink,” he said.
New members also attend an introductory dinner (referred to as an Entree) to experience the environment before committing to a permanent table.
He added: “We encourage social catch-ups across tables, so men can meet others in our community and learn from one another. Typically, these are held in the venues as well.”
Adelaide’s Coopers Alehouse is also among the many venues across the country hosting regular tables. The first table was held in December 2022 with three tables now held monthly.
Functions and digital marketing manager Kimberley Piggott said when the team became aware of the concept, they were 100 per cent on board as the concept aligned wholeheartedly with its values.
“As a family-owned venue with strong local connections, creating a space where people feel welcome, comfortable and connected has always been important to us. We’re grateful to be a small part of something bigger that provides such meaningful support to the men who attend.
“That sense of comfort and familiarity has made The Men’s Table a natural extension of what we already do. We believe hosting the sessions in a relaxed environment helps put men at ease, especially when conversations move outside their comfort zone. The growth from one table to three regular groups reflects the need for spaces where men can connect, feel heard and build genuine friendships within their local community,” she said.
Piggot said the ongoing feedback the venue receives from The Men’s Table members has been incredibly positive.
“We know these sessions provide value to the men who attend, and seeing the ongoing commitment and growth of the groups is a great reflection of that. While our role is simply to provide the space and support the sessions, we’re proud to be part of something that is creating stronger connections within our community.
“Supporting men’s mental health has a great benefit not only for the individual but for the greater community.”
A lasting impact
When reflecting on the success of The Men’s Table so far, Pointon said what has resonated most with men around the country is the sense of inclusion and support regardless of their situation.
“Some are going through transitional periods and feel they need support (e.g. fatherhood, divorce, retirement, financial difficulty, etc.). While some have been through challenges themselves and want to support other men and others want to put a structure in place for when they need it,” she said.
Ongoing feedback from attendees has shown that the regular meetings have achieved exactly what they set out to do – connect.
“Men mention that having a confidential place where they trust the others in the room, can speak about their feelings and be vulnerable is important; and that having somewhere to be heard and supported each month means they reflect more on their feelings so they can share in the room,” stated Pointon.
“Many also say hearing other men’s experiences makes them feel less alone and more positive that what they are thinking and feeling is not unique and that they will get through it. It’s not all bad, men also share the ups of their lives and enjoy having a place to celebrate their wins and their joys.”
